The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Council has suspended its presidential campaign in protest of President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.
This was just as the Benue PDP State Campaign Organisation announced the postponement of Atiku/Obi rally billed to hold in Makurdi today.
The postponment was announced in a statement signed by the National Chairman & Co-chairman, PDP Presidential Campaign Council, 2019, Uche Secondus, made available to the Next Edition in Makurdi by the State publicity Secretary of the party, Bemgba Iortyom.
The statement stated that the suspension of its campaign activities was in solidarity with Nigerians in the collective rejection of the assault against the country’s democratic order.
It further noted: “President Buhari’s action is a dangerous and brazen assault on the constitution. There is no point in campaigning to contest in an election, whose very basis has been so flagrantly undermined.
“The basis for this election is the democracy itself. When democracy comes under this kind of virulent attack, then the election itself becomes superfluous.
“The PDP Presidential Campaign which was scheduled to be held in Benue State on Saturday has therefore been cancelled.
“In the first instance, we are suspending our campaign for 72 hours. It is our hope that President Buhari will listen to the voice of all lovers of democracy the world over and restore democracy in Nigeria immediately and without qualifications. At the moment, the President has effectively suspended the constitution under whose basis the elections are being contested.
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“The action of President Buhari represents a constitutional breach and a direct attack on our democracy. This must never be allowed to stand, as there is no way by which democracy can survive under these autocratic tendencies.
“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to rise in defence of democracy and save our nation from this imminent slide into tyranny,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Benue State PDP Campaign Organisation for the 2019 elections also announced the postponement of the earlier scheduled campaign rally for the Atiku/Obi Presidential ticket.
The rally earlier slated to hold Saturday, 26th January, 2019, at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Square in Makurdi, was put off indefinitely.
A press statement signed by the Director, PDP State Campaign Organisation, Pastor Terngu Shawon stated that the postponement was in compliance with directives from the National Campaign Headquarters of the party for suspension of all campaign activities nationwide.
The party enjoined all supporters of PDP across Benue state and beyond to be patient as a new date for resumption of campaign activities and the rally in Benue State will be communicated.
